Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine shows strong response against LP.8.1 variant

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. - Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA), currently valued at $10.3 billion, announced Tuesday that its 2025-2026 formula of mNEXSPIKE COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated a greater than 16-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant in clinical trials. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a strong balance sheet with more cash than debt, though revenues have declined 39% over the past year.

The preliminary data comes from an ongoing Phase 4 clinical trial evaluating the updated vaccine in individuals aged 12-64 years with high-risk conditions and adults 65 years and older. The company also reported that its 2025-2026 Spikevax formula generated more than an 8-fold increase in LP.8.1-neutralizing antibodies in the same age groups.

According to the company, the safety profile remained consistent with previous studies of the vaccines. The clinical findings support the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the 2025-2026 formula of mNEXSPIKE.

The mNEXSPIKE vaccine is approved for individuals 12 through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, as well as all adults 65 years of age and older.

Spikevax is approved for people 65 years and older, and those aged 6 months through 64 years who are at high risk for severe COVID-19.

Both vaccines target the LP.8.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which is currently one of the predominant circulating strains.

The information is based on a press release statement from Moderna.

In other recent news, Moderna has been in the spotlight with several significant developments. UBS reiterated its Buy rating on Moderna stock, maintaining a price target of $70, following discussions with a biopharma lobbyist regarding regulatory changes in COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, Bernstein has kept its Market Perform rating with a $28 price target, noting Moderna’s strategic cost-cutting measures, which include reducing research and development expenses and identifying an additional $1 billion in potential savings.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines, limiting eligibility primarily to those 65 and older or individuals with certain health conditions, a departure from previous universal availability. Additionally, a CDC panel voted to end the universal recommendation for COVID-19 shots, now suggesting that vaccination decisions be made between patients and their healthcare providers. Reports from Newsweek and The Daily Beast suggest that the Trump administration might be considering a ban on COVID-19 vaccines, a claim supported by British cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra. These developments mark a period of significant change and adaptation for Moderna and the broader vaccine landscape.

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